Friday, April 7, 2017

Dad

If somebody were to ask me what I thought about when looking back to my childhood, a quick image comes flooding into my head...

Tossing the baseball back and forth with my Dad in the backyard of the house I grew up in, on Corrales Road. 

My dream as a kid was to show him that I would indeed play for the Philadelphia Phillies!

Both he and I knowing, that wasn't much of a possibility.

I can't recall very many occasions that my Dad didn't meet my latest 'moment of zen' with as much enthusiasm as me. I will add that when he didn't agree, he let that be known too...

My Dad always proclaimed that we were the greatest Philly sports fans west of the Mississippi!

To this day, I wear that badge with great pride. 

Both of my parents grew up in Levittown, Pennsylvania, a suburb outside of Philadelphia. After falling in love and getting married, they craved adventure.

Together they left the East Coast for Taos, where I was born, eventually settling in the small village in New Mexico known as Corrales. 

It was in that small town that my parents, Robert and Linda Lupowitz, would raise their three children. My older sister, Ariana, myself and my younger brother, Max, rounding out the trio.

Watching my parents build my fathers Chiropractic practice is something I will cherish for a lifetime. A small office that once sat in the front room of that house on Corrales Road quickly grew into a thriving practice that was known far and wide.

People loved my Dad. My Dad was a healer, a pillar of the community.

My father healed countless thousands through his life's work as a Chiropractor. And countless people loved and revered him. People were drawn to him. His spirit was contagious. His courage, inspiring. 

The thing about my Dad is that he had a passion for living life with such integrity. It was something that he demanded of himself.

I am convinced that the term "He wears his heart on his sleeve" was intended for my Dad.

My father once told me that he was sickened to tell a lie... He explained to me that the times he was put in a position to lie, it literally made him ill.

I always loved him and looked up to him, even when our relationship was strained.

I always wanted to be like my Dad.

I won't attempt to tie a bow around the struggles I created during my twenties. I admit, I wasn't exactly walking the line...

My Dad never gave up, though.

The man always seemed to seek out the positive!

His determination helped pave the way for me to find the wonderful life I live today. 

His love continued to grow on me and eventually not only was he my father, he was also my best friend.

I miss his face, his laugh, his wit, his humor, his smile.

I miss his love.

My father gave every last ounce of courage to those around him. I can only strive to live my life with such grace and dignity. 

Like my Dad always said, remember to leave with words that heal not wound, you never know when you might not see someone again. And say I love you, it never hurts. 

I will always cherish the moments we shared. Forever sealed inside my heart.

I love you, Dad. 



In Loving Memory Of My Father
Robert Alan Lupowitz
12/20/1950 - 3/10/2017